All news (2778)

05.06.2020
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Press release
EDA
Federal Councillor Karin Keller-Sutter informed the Federal Council at its meeting on 5 June that the Federal Department of Justice and Police FDJP intends to lift the existing entry restrictions applicable with regard to all EU/EFTA states and the United Kingdom as of 15 June.

04.06.2020
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Press release
EDA
On Thursday, 4 June, President Simonetta Sommaruga represented Switzerland at the Global Vaccine Summit. The summit, which was originally due to have taken place in London at the UK’s invitation, was instead conducted by video conference. Among the issues addressed was how any future vaccine against COVID-19 could be made globally accessible.

03.06.2020
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Press release
EDA
Switzerland is working internationally to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery. Ensuring that governments inform each other about their civilian and military missile programmes and planned missile launches is an important means of reducing distrust between states. This is one of the aims of the Hague Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation (HCoC), which Switzerland has chaired since 3 June 2020.

02.06.2020
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Press release
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis attended the ministerial meeting of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee on 2 June 2020 by videoconference. The humanitarian multilateral Committee coordinates aid funding to the Palestinian Authority. The virtual meeting focused on the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Palestinian economy and efforts to resume the dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians.

02.06.2020
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Press release
EDA
The civil war in Yemen has created one of the worst humanitarian crises of our time. People in Yemen need urgent assistance. But ongoing hostilities and major administrative and operational restrictions are making humanitarian programmes increasingly difficult to implement. At a pledging conference co-hosted by the UN and Saudi Arabia, Switzerland has announced that it will make CHF 12 million available for measures to assist the Yemeni people. The international community has pledged a total of USD 1.35 billion towards relief efforts to help the affected population.

28.05.2020
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EDA
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed Swiss diplomat Stéphane Rey, head of Peace Policy and deputy head of the Human Security Division at the FDFA, to the Advisory Group of the Peacebuilding Fund. The FDFA welcomes Mr Rey's appointment, which acknowledges Switzerland's record as a bridge builder and its expertise in peace and security.

28.05.2020
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Press release
EDA
On Thursday 28 May 2020, the President of the Swiss Confederation, Simonetta Sommaruga, took part in a video conference on development funding at the invitation of the UN, Canada and Jamaica. The conference, which involved numerous heads of state and government, marks the start of a longer process which will focus on development funding at a global level during the pandemic and beyond.

27.05.2020
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Press release
EDA
Switzerland is to contribute CHF 879 million to the coffers of the International Development Association (IDA/World Bank) and of the African Development Fund (ADF) to help fight poverty, promote sustainable development and deal with the health, social and economic impacts of the COVID-19 crisis on the world’s poorest countries. Switzerland is also contributing CHF 115 million to the Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative (MDRI). These decisions were taken by the Federal Council on 27 May.

22.05.2020
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Press release
EDA
Large numbers of migrants living and working abroad send part of their wages to their families back home on a regular basis. Because of the current COVID-19 pandemic, low-income countries have seen a dramatic fall in these remittances from abroad. Switzerland has therefore been working closely with the United Kingdom to call on the international community to keep remittance channels open and give the poorest communities continued access to these vital sources of income. The joint appeal, which is being launched today, also demonstrates the close ties between Switzerland and the UK, according to Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis.

19.05.2020
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Press release
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), participated in a “webinar” videoconference with high-ranking representatives from the fields of peace policy and good offices to discuss the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on efforts to promote peace and security. Hosted by the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, the conference focused on current and future challenges and produced recommendations for further action.

13.05.2020
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EDA
At its meeting of 13 May 2020, the Federal Council approved the allocation of CHF 175 million for the global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. These funds will be used for humanitarian aid, the development and production of diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines, and efforts aimed at ensuring equitable access to these medical solutions worldwide. The CHF 175 million is part of a CHF 400 million package approved by the Federal Council two weeks ago.

30.04.2020
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Press release
EDA
Developing countries are particularly vulnerable to Covid-19. The pandemic is compounding an already precarious situation in countries beset by poverty, armed conflict or natural disasters. To mitigate the consequences of the pandemic, the Federal Council has decided to provide the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) with a CHF 200 million interest-free loan and to contribute CHF 25 million to an IMF rapid credit facility to help countries address the pandemic. A further CHF 175 million is to be allocated to help strengthen internationally active organisations and international cooperation to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic. With these funds, Switzerland is showing solidarity during the global crisis.

Media (2467)

27.11.2019 —
Press release
EDA
Following a decision by the Federal Council on 27 November, Switzerland will participate in the 33rd International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent in Geneva from 9 to 12 December. Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will lead the Swiss delegation. Switzerland is committed to strengthening compliance with international humanitarian law, one of the key issues to be addressed at the conference. Switzerland also supports the use of new technologies to ensure faster and more efficient humanitarian responses.

27.11.2019 —
Press release
EDA
At its meeting on 27 November 2019, the Federal Council appointed Christian Frutiger, Head of Global Cooperation at the SDC, as the new IFAD Governor for Switzerland. IFAD enables the rural poor to improve their food security and nutrition, raise their incomes and strengthen their resilience, a mandate which aligns with Switzerland's development policy priorities.

26.11.2019 —
Press release
EDA
The FDFA is greatly concerned about the revelations in the documents published in the last few days about the internment of Uighurs and other ethnic minorities in Xinjiang. It calls on the Chinese government to address the concerns raised by many states and to allow the UN unhindered access to the region.

26.11.2019 —
Press release
EDA
In response to an official request from the Albanian government, Swiss Humanitarian Aid is dispatching a team of experts from its Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit (SHA) to the affected area of Albania.

26.11.2019 —
Press release
EDA
At this year's Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in Berlin, Switzerland is advocating judicious rules on digital governance, covering economic issues as well as security and human rights. Federal Councillor and Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) Ignazio Cassis has called for a "Swiss approach" in which all actors and stakeholders join forces to address the issues raised by digital technologies. He said that Geneva already provided the perfect conditions for such a multi-stakeholder approach, which would bring together all relevant decision-makers.

25.11.2019 —
Press release
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis is to take part in the Internet Governance Forum in Berlin on 26 November 2019 at the invitation of the German government. The Forum, the world’s foremost and largest UN multi-stakeholder conference on digital cooperation, is concerned with all aspects of digital policy, including economic, regulatory, security and human rights issues. The participation of Federal Councillor Cassis underscores Switzerland’s active and constructive role in digital diplomacy and digital governance issues.

05.11.2019 —
Press release
EDA
On Tuesday, 5 November, President Ueli Maurer received Tajik President Emomali Rahmon for a working visit. The official talks in the Bernerhof focused on bilateral relations and cooperation in international organisations, as well as under the Belt and Road Initiative.

29.10.2019 —
Press release
EDA
Swiss Humanitarian Aid has launched two aid operations to alleviate the plight of refugees in Greece. Some 600 family tents and other winter equipment have been dispatched to Lesbos Island. Last week, 500 beds from the inventory of the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS) were transported to Greece by lorry.

17.10.2019 —
Press release
EDA
President Ueli Maurer as Head of the Swiss delegation, Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin and Thomas Jordan, Chairman of the Governing Board of the Swiss National Bank, will attend the Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WBG) in Washington from 18 to 19 October 2019. Important bilateral talks are likewise planned. President Ueli Maurer and SNB Chairman Thomas Jordan will attend a meeting of G20 finance ministers and central bank governors in the run-up to the Annual Meetings.

30.08.2019 —
Press release
EDA
On 30 August 2019, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis and Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin met with members of the Nidwalden Cantonal Council in Bern. At the heart of the talks was the economic conditions in Switzerland as a centre for industry. Also discussed was the implementation of the Federal Act on Private Security Services Provided Abroad.

26.08.2019 —
Press release
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis has opened this year's Ambassadors and International Network Conference of Swiss ambassadors in Bern. The event will focus on three key topics for the FDFA – namely Switzerland's 2028 Foreign Policy Vision, foreign policy strategy for the period 2020-23, and the development of a new career profile for diplomatic staff – with a view to shaping and expanding Switzerland's future foreign policy.

21.08.2019 —
Press release
EDA
Every year, 2.5 million people die of AIDS, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria, mainly in low- and middle-income countries. At its meeting of 21 August 2019, the Federal Council approved a contribution of CHF 64 million for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund) for the 2020–22 period and a further CHF 30 million for the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) for the 2019–21 period. With this funding and its expertise, Switzerland aims to reduce global health risks while strengthening Geneva's position as a centre of excellence in the field of global health.

Other news (311)

28.05.2020 —
EDA
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed Swiss diplomat Stéphane Rey, head of Peace Policy and deputy head of the Human Security Division at the FDFA, to the Advisory Group of the Peacebuilding Fund. The FDFA welcomes Mr Rey's appointment, which acknowledges Switzerland's record as a bridge builder and its expertise in peace and security.

13.05.2020 —
EDA
At its meeting of 13 May 2020, the Federal Council approved the allocation of CHF 175 million for the global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. These funds will be used for humanitarian aid, the development and production of diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines, and efforts aimed at ensuring equitable access to these medical solutions worldwide. The CHF 175 million is part of a CHF 400 million package approved by the Federal Council two weeks ago.

29.04.2020 —
EDA
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, a number of global events are being postponed – including the 2020 Summer Olympics and Paralympics in Tokyo and Expo 2020 in Dubai. The Federal Council has confirmed that Switzerland will be showcasing itself at both major events which will now be held in 2021. It also emphasized the importance of such events in terms of economic recovery for the international markets.

22.04.2020 —
EDA
On 24 April 2020 the Federal Council approved a loan of CHF 95.6 million to the Foundation for Buildings for International Organisations (FIPOI) to finance the demolition and reconstruction of one of the headquarters buildings of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Geneva. The works are scheduled over the five-year period from 2022 to 2026.

21.04.2020 —
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, met by videoconference earlier today, 21 April, with his counterparts from the other German-speaking countries. He called on neighbouring countries and the EU to proceed in a coordinated manner to ease COVID-19 restrictions as quickly as possible. He also thanked his counterparts for the excellent cooperation which made the repatriation flights to bring Swiss and foreign citizens home possible.

19.04.2020 —
EDA
On Sunday, 19 April, Switzerland took part in a meeting of G20 health ministers. Discussions focused on the COVID-19 pandemic and addressed in particular the importance of international cooperation and the major role played by the World Health Organization.

16.04.2020 —
EDA
Federal Councillor Ueli Maurer, State Secretary Marie-Gabrielle Ineichen-Fleisch, representing Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin, and Thomas Jordan, Chairman of the Governing Board of the Swiss National Bank, will attend the virtual Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank on 16 and 17 April 2020. The main focus of the Meetings, like the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting in the run-up to them, is the global management of the effects of the COVID-19 crisis.

16.04.2020 —
EDA
Switzerland welcomes the latest prisoner exchange between Kyiv and the non-government controlled areas of eastern Ukraine which took place on 16 April 2020, three months after the last such large-scale exchange. Swiss diplomats working on behalf of the OSCE were instrumental in preparing the release.

16.04.2020 —
EDA
Switzerland allocated CHF 3.074 billion to official development assistance (ODA) in 2019, CHF 42 million more than in the previous year. As a share of gross national income (GNI), Swiss ODA remains stable at 0.44%.

09.04.2020 —
EDA
Switzerland has taken note of the first report of the Investigation and Identification Team (IIT) of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), which is responsible for identifying the perpetrators in three instances where chemical weapons were used in the Syrian conflict. Switzerland strongly condemns the use of chemical weapons and demands that those responsible for all violations of international law in Syria be held to account.

31.03.2020 —
EDA
At the end of 2019, more than one in ten Swiss nationals lived abroad. Almost two thirds lived in Europe, notably in France. Their number continued to increase, both among the young and old. Overall, the share of women remained greater than that of men, according to the results of the statistics on the Swiss abroad from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).

23.03.2020 —
EDA
The FDFA has launched an unprecedented repatriation action. Yesterday the first flight left Switzerland for Costa Rica. An Airbus A-340 of the airline "Edelweiss" is currently on its way to Colombia. In the coming weeks the FDFA is planning dozens of additional flights to Latin America, Asia and Africa.